thanks to Rick Steves and everyone

I thank Rick Steves for his book Europe through the Back Door which I purchased in 1980 or 1981. I also purchased around the same time Europe 101. They gave me a strong desire to travel through Europe. His TV shows on PBS made the desire even stronger. Most of all, he demonstrated how it could be done without spending a small fortune.

My daughter and I spent 8 weeks in Europe in 2005. I planned the itinerary, made reservations, etc. We did not have any problems.

Thanks Rick Steves!!!!!!

I am not sure if this is something to be thankful for. Welcome to the club of having spent a few glorious weeks someplace, only having to come home to real life, aching to be back at that cafe in Amsterdam, the deserted beach in the Greek Isles, or standing in the shadow of the Coliseum slurping Gelato. Now you will obsessively scrape together every cent, spend countless hours reading guidebooks and posting on the Graffiti Wall, and writing and rewriting itineraries, until you can get back in a year, or two, or three. Your friends will tire of your stories, avoid you when they see pictures in your hand, and certainly never make the mistake of asking out loud what the correct spelling of "Florence" is in Italian...even for the final answer in the Sunday NY Time Crossword. You may want to consider becoming a Monk.

That is funny you should say that. The first morning I woke up when I returned home I was extremely dissapointed there was not a bakery around the corner. I am already planning my next trip and cannot wait until next summer when I travel again.

My next trip is 2 weeks in Israel this fall. Hope the time goes by fast.

Already dreaming of the next trip. There is an itch that will not go away.

After reading these posts, I feel so much better. It's good to know I am not the only one feeling like this. We got back from our first overseas trip in April. We spent 2 weeks in England. The second we landed back home we started planning our next trip, either in January or September 2008!! We just cant wait to go back, we had such a glorious time!! Having Rick Steves along, in the form of guidebook, was such a help and made everything go so smoothly. He is definitely invited on our next trip.

And yes, My name is Paul and I am a travelholic. It has been a year and a half since my last travel (two weeks bopping around the Yucatan doesn't count, it's not Europe); however, I am scheduled for 4 weeks in June of '08. Fifth trip since Summer of 2000...I am your future!

I think I am a bigger European travelholic than Paul. I'm gearing up for my 6th trip since 2001 -- probably will not stop until I totally run out of money and/or can no longer walk!
It's all a result of the influence, TV shows, guidebooks, tours, and good advice of Rick Steves -- I blame him!

Our first Europe trip was in May 2000 and it cost twice as much as all the other trips we've taken since then. I bought my first Rick Steves book after seeing him on PBS station and we're able to go twice a year now for the same cost as we went once in 2000. We've been 11 times in the past 7 years and Rick has saved us lots of money and time!

Kudos to Kyle for giving credit to Rick and his staff on putting together great travel segments which in turn makes us all want to head to Europe. Of course while planning we must go out and buy his books and routinely check this web site. My favorite is the scam alerts.

The time to head to Europe is shoulder and off season. It's so cheap and great for museums. Keep that passport handy and watch for great deals.